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Samsung Galaxy S3 Kit Kat Update = Worse Reception

I updated to Kit Kat on Friday afternoon and ever since I have noticed a dramatic deterioration in signal strength on my device, often rendering it with no wireless reception whatsoever. Did a factory reset with the same results. Anyone else notice this?

Comments

Verizon_Support

Oh boy! The update should be an enhancement for you.

Although the bars of signal may be lower, it would be best to check the signal strength (RSSI).

• From a home screen, select Apps (located at the bottom).

• From the Apps tab, select Settings.

• Select About phone.

• Select Status.

• Review the following:

• Signal strength4G LTE Signal should be greater than -82 dBm (e.g. -58 dBm). A value of -96 dBm indicates no signal. If the signal is between -82 dBm and -96 dBm, move the device to an alternate location (an outdoor location is preferable). 3G or 1x/EVDO Signal should be greater than -95 dBm (e.g. -73 dBm). A value of -125 dBm indicates no signal. If the signal is between -95 dBm and -125 dBm, move the device to an alternate location (an outdoor location is preferable).

• Mobile network type

• LTE

• 3G

What values do you see?

TamaraH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

DevinPotter

I too have noticed this problem with the kit kat update this happened with previous updates well documented Verizon please please please get some better software engineers or double check and redouble check your work to your modified software I have hard reset my phone 4 time done multiple battery pulls to new sim cards I have checked for newer updates no good Samsung / Verizon together do not know how to do software

I am NOT sending my phone samsung to wait 10 days for my phone to be fixed there should be an update before they released an update or just get the update correct the first time ...look at the history with the Samsung Fascinate I know CDMA and samsung phones dont work well together but still there should be able to be fixed why even make a phone does that.... the update before this kit kat update it did alot better with reception Verizon please step up to the plate :-[

Ann154

Verizon Wireless Customer Support wrote:





Oh boy! The update should be an enhancement for you.
Although the bars of signal may be lower, it would be best to check the signal strength (RSSI).

   • From a home screen, select Apps (located at the bottom).
   • From the Apps tab, select Settings.
   • Select About phone.
   • Select Status.
   • Review the following:
   • Signal strength4G LTE Signal should be greater than -82 dBm (e.g. -58 dBm). A value of -96 dBm indicates no signal. If the signal is between -82 dBm and -96 dBm, move the device to an alternate location (an outdoor location is preferable). 3G or 1x/EVDO Signal should be greater than -95 dBm (e.g. -73 dBm). A value of -125 dBm indicates no signal. If the signal is between -95 dBm and -125 dBm, move the device to an alternate location (an outdoor location is preferable).
   • Mobile network type
   • LTE
   • 3G

What values do you see?

TamaraH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Uh. I regularly have -104 dBm 36 asu LTE signal on all the devices I have owned or used in the past few years and it still reflects as two bars of signal.

jrod8942

Since the 4.4 KitKat update, my phone no longer connects to 3g, it does connect fine to 4g and wireless. My home location has spotty 4g and inside my building only had 3g. Would not be able to connet to only 3g be an issue with the SIM card?

betatronic

I am having the exact same issue on my GS3. I have also noticed that the handoff/switch between 4g/3G is really bad, to the point that the data connection is dropped for at least 45sec on avg. Performance overall on the phone has decreased. But the reception issues are quite apparent. I'm open to assist tech support with any troubleshooting to get this addressed.

THanks

imadude1134

Same issue here on my GS3. did the 4.4.2 and now I only get Wifi and 4G. And often, the 4G is spotty. Prior to the update, had only minor issues. Now I have to reset my phone 3-4 times per day unless I am on Wifi.

Sitting at my desk at work (where previously I had ZERO issues with connectivity)

-Signal fails, wait for 10 mins, still no signal.

-Reset and have signal for a few hours, then it fails and no signal anymore.

-Repeat

What is up with this?

Justin384

Also having the same issue. At my home I get no service and finally had to cave by paying for an expensive network extender. At the office I get spotty 4G service as well maybe 1 bar. I would like to have the option to drop down to 3G but I don't see any options in settings to force this change.

Any Suggestions?? Please help VZ Wireless.

Thanks,

Justin

fakin987

Likewise! I live in the Dalas-Fort Worth metroplex and prior to the update was getting 4G pretty much everywhere. Now it seems like I'm usually on 3G. 4G is the primary reason I got my Galaxy S3. I can't even get uninterrupted playback of the lowest quality streaming in Spotify. Currently, I'm connected to 3G with a signal strength of -82 dBm 4 asu. Help!

klutch850

Same here. I lose signal constantly for about 10 min at a time. My Google maps is now worse than a tomtom and it use to work flawlessly. We waited a long time for this update and i expect this issue to be worked out and soon. Its obviously a problem many people are having.

ronjacks69

My phone worked fine prior to the Kit Kat update and now I am lucky to have 2 bars of signal strength (-107 dBm) and this is totally unacceptable. Judging by the number of posts here this is a very common problem that Verizon/Samsung needs to fix now!!!!!! Prior to this update the phone worked great, no issues at all, but now it is almost totally worthless.

I have been a Verizon customer for many years now, but will probably switch carriers because of this issue. There are many other carriers out there and they don't seem to have these problems.

Johnpalmerjp3

I'm having the same problem this is ridiculous. I didn't have any problems with my phone until this last update. No reception, hell I barely had reception standing in the verizon store!

New SIM card...didn't work,
Rest to factory settings...didn't work
taking the battery out ....didn't work
Calling verizon (from my office phone obviously) ......didn't work
Going to the verizon store....didn't work.

Is there somebody that can help me with this issue?

schuang

I'm having the same problem as well, and ever since the last update. I don't get any reception anymore, and least none that would even give me a 3G. My signal strength is -114 dBm, have 3 bars, but don't see 3G or 4G. Please help. This is really annoying.

hussong1555

I'm having the same problem too. It seems like in was intentional to push us to wanting to upgrade early and pay for the new upgrade service they have. Makes me want to explore other networks that offer to pay early termination fees so I can get a new phone without this problem.

Verizon_Support

hussong1555 let get things moving in the right direction! Your business means everything to us and we definitely don't want you to consider leaving. What zip code are you located in? Having issues indoors and outdoors?

AshleyS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

hussong1555

Ashley,

The problem exists both indoors and outdoors at home (zip code 91910) and at work (zip code 92164). I get no data then power cycle and get 4G or 3G with 2 bars. Before these last two updates, I got 4G all the time with 3-4 bars. I find myself power cycling my phone 4-5 times a day. Its really quite ridiculous. I still have about 6 months left on our phone but not sure i wont to wait that long. This is happening with both my phone and my wife's phone as well (we both have samsung galaxy s3).

Verizon_Support

hussong1555 we'll pinpoint the issue and get you connected! Both areas are surrounded by our extended LTE coverage which will cause the signal to fluctuate. Have you tried to remove/insert the sim to reset the connection?

AshleyS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

xxNiceStratxx

Ditto to what everybody is saying here. I specifically switched a few years ago to Verizon due to lack of adequate coverage in my neighborhood. Since this Kit Kat update (4.2.2) nightmare my phone is becoming nothing more than a paperweight. Zip code is 98513....whatever. My girlfriend has the same phone, service, etc. and we are both disgusted with the service we are paying big bucks for. My girlfriend, her kids and myself will be changing providers. I will make sure to go out of my way to share my horrible experience.

xxNiceStratxx

for the record -99 dBm here.....so, per the advice above I need to take move my phone to an alternative location (preferably outside)....

ROFLMAO

U_Kidding

Same here. VERIZON RAPES its customers. Phone working fine prior to update, now a piece of garbage. Where's our government when we need them? Come on, I'm paying you well over $2000 year for services and I can't get any bars?

U_Kidding

Read somewhere that Google Play App "Network Signal Refresher Lite" will help. Loaded and it seems to have boosted bar by 1 for me.

Description

Refresh network signal in one click!!

IMPORTANT: NETWORK SIGNAL CANNOT BE BOOSTED, ONLY RECOVERED/REFRESHED.
THIS APP TRIES TO SET YOUR DEVICE WITH BEST POSSIBLE CONNECTION IN YOUR AREA BY REFRESHING THE SIGNAL CONNECTION. i.e. AFTER USING THIS APP, YOUR NETWORK SIGNAL CAN GET INCREASED IN STRENGTH (BY SETTING THE BEST NETWORK SIGNAL), OR STAY CONSTANT(IF THERE IS NO BETTER NETWORK SIGNAL).

[[Works perfectly for CDMA technology. GSM may not always work.]]

DeanHarris

I have the same issue. Barely 1 bar...

107dBm 33asu

LTE

Same if I walk outside.

lynnhood

My phone worked fine (S3) until the beginning of summer. -110 most of the time. Even standing near cell tower. Gps doesnt work well either. I'm definately shopping around for new carrier

lynnhood

Does Anyone have a fix for this?

Verizon_Support

lynnhood No need to shop around! We can make sure you have a phone that works. Although others may experience similiar issues, we have to troubleshoot case by case. What steps have you taken so far for the data signal issues?

SheritaH_VZW

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lynnhood

I have tried resetting to factory defaults. Removing battery and sim card and then turning power back on. I removed all installed apps. What else should try? It doesn't matter where I am, my phone has little to no signal strength much of the time. I can usually send a text message. I cannot search the internet and GPS doesn't work, google maps can never find my location. I don't even bother using my phone as a "phone". IT had become pretty useless.

Fortnerw

I too am having this problem. Zip 31029 Forsyth Ga. Signal level great before Kit Kat software. I don't see how you can say case by case when it is obvious that the software update has caused the problem. This appears to be the case all over the country with the Samsung S3. When I am next to a VZ tower I have full bars. I am out in a rural area but have always had more than 3 bars and 4GLTE most of the time. Now I have 1 to 2 bars with -114dbm 28asu inside or out. This is totally unacceptable. I have 8 mos left on my term but If I can get ATT to buy my contract I am gone unless VZ can reset us to Jelly Bean or clean up Kit Kat. It appears as to have screwed up the sensitivity of these S3 Phones. I too have done the oblitory remove battery, reset SIM. Please Help!!

SteveHOK

Same issue for me. Tried all the recommended procedures but still can rarely make a phone call anymore. Phone was great until the latest update. Very frustrated!

have2use_vzw

I am in 30518 zip code and have been having this issue since June. it drops to 3G and stay there most of the time and sometime it drops down to 1X and stays there till I rebooted. Even if I get 4G, it is usually 1 or 2 bars. My wife's T-Mobile is always 5 bars and never dropped below 4 bars. I thought Verizon is touting it has the best 4G LTE nationwide?????

tzimmerman583

I am having the same issue with my Galaxy S3. I had to call tech support form a iphone using vzw because my phone could not hold the call I have had numerous different locations where a iphone or a jetpack will have 3 bars of 4g service and i would be lucky if i had 1 bar of 1x or 3g. Called Tech support and he "updated" the roaming. I am not buying that he did anything but he said i should test it for a day....Not holding my breath.

DCCC

The reception on my phone is horrible. If and when I actually get any signal (4g or 3g) it'll quickly turn to no reception within 30 seconds. It just keeps switching from 4g/3g to no reception constantly all day. Can't surf the internet or use the GPS. My phone is pretty much useless unless I'm on wifi.

Verizon_Support

Hello haribo!

Let's get this issue addressed with your S3! Please to to menu/settings/mobile networks/network mode. Please change it to LTE/CDMA and let me know how it works out for you.

Thanks,

ChristinaB_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

DCCC

My phone was already on LTE/CDMA. I talked to customer service online and they told me to go into the store to get a new SIM card. I went and had no problems in the actual store so I thought my problem was fixed but long and behold when I walk to my car, there's once again no signal. My phone shows bars but no 1x/3g/4g symbol. This pretty much happens everywhere I go when I'm not on wifi.

DCCC

How did that "update" the roaming work out for you?

ebatmaz

My wife and I both have Galaxy S3s and our wireless reception AND GPS reception has been terrible in the last year or so (maybe even longer). Last time I traveled out of state, the phone kept losing the signal and I felt like I was lost, not knowing where to go. This is simply unacceptable. Unless there is a real quick fix to this issue, my 5 year journey with Verizon will come to an end.

Goldensugarplum

someone needs to fix this. updated to gs5, worked fine without the update. been a customer over ten years and this is THE WORST UPDATE EVER. reception is 2 bars max no matter where i am and even in locations that i had full reception. went through the lte/cdma/global setting, had to hard reset the phone loosing ALL of my information trying to figure this out. someone needs to tell me wtf is going on asap and let the public know. why was such a crap update released anyway?!

SYoung49

I agree with you. GPS and Reception has been declining almost everyday.

Time for a new carrier.

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